Addressing Northern Ireland’s economic challenges: Minister to be questioned by Committee
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will question Northern Ireland Office Minister Conor Burns on the UK Government’s investment schemes in Northern Ireland as the Committee wraps up oral evidence in its Investment in Northern Ireland inquiry.
The session is expected to feature examinations of the Government’s plans for ensuring people in Northern Ireland are appropriately skilled and over how it is making sure investment projects help the UK meet its ambitious aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Over the course of the inquiry, the Committee heard concerns from NI industry that they are sometimes unable to access funds from the apprenticeship levy despite paying into the pot. The levy was designed as a means to address the historic NI skills gap by funding apprenticeships, but under current rules the funds are not ringfenced the Northern Ireland Executive can spend the money as it sees fit.